The Cabinet Minister Part 29

LADY MACPHAIL.

Bravely said!

DOWAGER.

Charming!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

When, Julian?

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

H'm! when?

DOWAGER.

When? [IMOGEN's voice is heard outside.]

IMOGEN.

[Calling.] Mamma, dear!

DOWAGER.

When? I suggest, now. Here is Imogen.

[MACPHAIL rises hastily and awkwardly. IMOGEN enters.]

IMOGEN.

Oh, I didn't know you had visitors. [Shaking hands with SIR COLIN and LADY MACPHAIL.] Sir Colin--Lady Macphail.

DOWAGER.

Now, Julian, leave them together! Katherine!

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Imogen, my dear.

[IMOGEN comes to SIR JULIAN. LADY TWOMBLEY, the DOWAGER, LADY MACPHAIL, and MACPHAIL talk together.]

SIR JULIAN TWOMBLEY.

Talk to Sir Colin for a few moments while I look through my speech.

IMOGEN.

Certainly, papa. [SIR JULIAN goes out.] What an awful task! [Taking a book from the table.]

LADY MACPHAIL.

[Quietly to MACPHAIL.] Colin, let her hear how a Macphail can love.

[Kissing him.] My boy! [To the DOWAGER and LADY TWOMBLEY.] I'll drive round to Lady Macwhirter's and return. Leave them! Ah, the pipers shall play to the home-coming of a bride at Castle Ballocheevin! [She goes out.]

DOWAGER.

Come, Katherine. Think of it! To be the mother-in-law of the head of the Clan Macphail!

LADY TWOMBLEY.

Dora, what's the use of a head with no tongue in it?

[The DOWAGER and LADY TWOMBLEY go out. MACPHAIL looks round uneasily.]

MACPHAIL.

[To himself.] Where's mother?

IMOGEN.

[To herself.] Oh, why do they leave us! [To MACPHAIL.] Were you at the dance of the Perth Highlanders last night, Sir Colin?

MACPHAIL.

Aye, I was.

IMOGEN.

Did you dance much?

MACPHAIL.

Aye, I did.

IMOGEN.

[To herself.] He must make the next remark.

MACPHAIL.

[Nerving himself and rising suddenly.] Miss Twombley!

IMOGEN.

Sir Colin!